EPCS Curriculum
Philosophy
EPCS empowers children with both the knowledge and flexibility to adapt and help shape our ever-changing world.
Critical thinking, communication as well as solid basic academic skills are vital to children's success. I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand. In keeping with that old adage, the charter school seeks to empower children in their construction of knowledge. Key areas of ongoing concentration are parental involvement, basic skills mastery and fluency, critical thinking, and classrooms that are safe for risk taking; which models skills for collaboration, interdependence, democracy, conflict, resolution, negotiation, and mediation.
Respect is the thread that holds the school together; respect for one another, respect for diversity, respect for uniqueness, respect for the materials we use and respect for our work. Children and teachers work in an environment in which they are valued, and they value one another.
Curriculum Summary
EPCS uses a child-centered classroom approach to learning. The EPCS curriculum allows each student to obtain a strong foundation. Our structured classes and an extensive advisory system allow us to offer individual attention to each student as they master a rigorous program. EPCS is committed to educating the whole person, to fostering a deep love of learning, and to preparing our students to contribute to a changing and challenging world.
Class Size
EPCS educates children in grades Kindergarten through eight. There are just 18 children in each class and two classes per grade level. Each class in grades K to 2 has a teacher aid.
This 18:1 student teacher ratio is an important part of our approach, allowing the teacher to spend more time on each student's individual requirements.
Report Card and Grading Procedure
Students in grades 1st through 8th will receive a letter grade on their report card for each core subject area (i.e. Reading, Spelling, Math, etc.) that is being assessed. This letter grade represents the student's overall performance for that specific marking period.
Students will receive a grade of E=Excellent, P=Proficient, S=Satisfactory, N=Needs Improvement, U=Unsatisfactory, or (-)=Not assessed at this time for each identified skill area.
Students in Kindergarten do not receive letter grades on their report cards.
Kindergarten students receive the following for effort, work habit, and conduct:
+=Demonstrates mastery of the skill, AM=Almost mastered, still needs practice, (-)=Developing skill, still needs instruction, U=Unsatisfactory, N/A=Not accessed at this time for each identified skill area.
All report cards will be distributed within four making period
Grading Scale for grades 1st - 8th
Principal List
High Honors - All A's
Honors -All A's and one B's
Honorable Mention -All A's and B's
Gym has been added to the Honor Roll category
Technology
Computer Labs:Each student from kindergarten to eight has a chromebook which they use as part of the curriculum and for State-Wide Testing. All the applications required to do their class work is accessible on the chromebook through Google cloud. They are comprise of Docs, for word processing, Spreadsheet for analyzing data and other applications to their disposal. In addition to these apps, typing is a major part of the process. All this is accomplish through Wifi. . Google have a built-in Internet filtering system in place on all apps.
Computers:Kindergarten has chromebooks. In addition, they also have desktop computers which they share, making the ratio of children to computers 8 to 1.
Internet:Every computer in the school is networked for Internet access. Internet filtering software is installed on each computer where applicable. Parents and teachers can rest assured the children are not accessing any undesirable websites.
Computer Instructions:All students are taught typing and how to position themselves, how to search and do research on the Internet, and how to use applications in Google Chrome.